Who are these choices important for?

Barbecue hosts who want to check Fairtrade credentials

You’re serving rusks with chocolate sprinkles and want to be able to see what the Fairtrade claim applies to on the packet you choose. A familiar brand name isn’t enough.

Hosts who need to consider milk

You want to distinguish between milk as an ingredient and a warning that a product may contain milk before serving. To do that, check the label on the packet you’re using.

Anyone serving a topping outdoors

You’re putting chocolate sprinkles out with the rusks and need somewhere to keep the packet cool and dry. This matches the storage advice for Fairtrade Original’s dark chocolate sprinkles.

What should you look for when buying?

Start with the mark on the packet. Then think about how you’ll store the chocolate sprinkles during the barbecue, and check the ingredients and allergen information before serving them to your guests.

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Fairtrade claim Look for the FAIRTRADE mark on the packet and read the accompanying wording. According to Fairtrade International, cocoa can be handled using mass balance, so a mark does not automatically guarantee that all the cocoa is physically kept separate. If Fairtrade is my main reason for buying these chocolate sprinkles, I want to be able to check the claim on the packet. For around 50% of consumers, being able to verify it comes first.
Serving outdoors Read the storage advice and make sure you can keep the packet somewhere cool and dry. Albert Heijn gives this storage advice for Fairtrade Original Dark Chocolate Sprinkles. I want to be able to top rusks at the outdoor buffet without leaving the opened packet somewhere warm or damp. Around 30% of consumers prioritise this practical consideration.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current ingredients list and allergen warnings. According to Albert Heijn, Fairtrade Original Milk Chocolate Sprinkles contain whole milk powder; the dark variety may contain milk. If a guest needs to avoid milk, I want to know exactly what the packet I’ve chosen says before serving. For around 20% of consumers, checking the label comes first.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking a brand name for a Fairtrade mark

    Albert Heijn lists Fairtrade Original, De Ruijter and Venz in the same chocolate sprinkles category. That alone says nothing about the certification of each individual product.

    Check the mark and claim on the packet of the variety you’re buying.

  • Assuming all Fairtrade cocoa is physically kept separate

    Fairtrade International allows mass balance for cocoa. So a Fairtrade claim does not automatically guarantee that every cocoa supply is physically kept separate.

    If physical traceability is essential to you, read the additional information alongside the mark on the packet.

  • Assuming dark chocolate sprinkles are milk-free

    According to Albert Heijn, Fairtrade Original’s dark chocolate sprinkles may contain milk. Whole milk powder is listed as an ingredient in the milk variety.

    Read the ingredients and allergen warnings on the current packet before serving the chocolate sprinkles.

  • Applying the rule on baker’s salt to chocolate sprinkles

    The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that iodine compounds may be present in bread, bread substitutes and other bakery products. This doesn’t tell you what’s in a particular packet of chocolate sprinkles.

    For a product-specific choice, check the ingredients list and nutritional information on the packet you’ve chosen.

Brands to consider

Fairtrade Original

Albert Heijn’s product information lists the Fairtrade mark and at least 32% cocoa solids for Fairtrade Original Dark Chocolate Sprinkles, 380 g.

  • The product information also warns that the dark variety may contain milk and advises storing it somewhere cool and dry.
  • According to Fairtrade International, mass balance may apply to cocoa. If physical traceability matters to you, read the wording alongside the mark.

Albert Heijn

The product page for Fairtrade Original Dark Chocolate Sprinkles gives you a starting point for checking the mark and product information.

  • For this specific dark variety, the page lists the Fairtrade mark, ingredients and storage advice.
  • A category listing doesn’t prove that every chocolate sprinkle product in it is Fairtrade certified. Check the individual packet.

De Ruijter

Albert Heijn’s chocolate sprinkles listing includes, among other options, De Ruijter dark and milk chocolate sprinkles.

  • The different varieties give you a chance to compare flavours and ingredients.
  • Don’t assume a product is Fairtrade because of the brand name; check the packet of the variety you’ve chosen.

Venz

Albert Heijn’s chocolate sprinkles listing includes, among other options, Venz dark, milk and other varieties.

  • You can compare the varieties for flavour and check the information on each individual packet.
  • A brand appearing in the listing doesn’t confirm that a particular variety carries a Fairtrade mark.

Joybuy products

Related products will appear soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can I check whether chocolate sprinkles are Fairtrade?

Look for the FAIRTRADE mark and the accompanying claim on the individual packet. Fairtrade International allows mass balance for cocoa, so read the additional wording if physical traceability matters to you.

Can I serve Fairtrade Original dark chocolate sprinkles to someone who needs to avoid milk?

Don’t assume this dark variety is milk-free without checking the label: Albert Heijn’s product information says it may contain milk. The milk variety contains whole milk powder. Before serving, read the ingredients and allergen warnings on the packet you’ve chosen.

Where should I keep the chocolate sprinkles during the barbecue?

Store Fairtrade Original Dark Chocolate Sprinkles somewhere cool and dry, as Albert Heijn advises for this variety. Keep the packet out of the sun and away from moisture, and reseal it after use.

Does the rule on baker’s salt mean chocolate sprinkles contain iodine?

No, you can’t work out what’s in a packet of chocolate sprinkles from that rule. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that iodine compounds may be present in bread, bread substitutes and other bakery products. For chocolate sprinkles, check the information on the packet you’ve chosen.